Wrestling: Barlow gets a chance to contribute

Haverford School 195-pounder L.J. Barlow, controls Episcopal Academy's Dee Barlee on his way to a first-period pin Friday that helped the Fords claim a 38-26 victory over their Inter-Ac League archrival. (Times staff / ROBERT J. GURECKI)

NEWTOWN SQUARE -- L.J. Barlow finally got to wrestle with his team Friday.

The Haverford School sophomore and 2012 Daily Times Wrestler of the Year has been off attending high-level, prestigious wrestling tournaments such as Beast of the East while the rest of the Fords participated in local meets such as the Radnor Holiday invitational.

But he wasn't about to miss the Fords' yearly Inter-Ac League clash with archrival Episcopal Academy.

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Barlow pinned Dee Barlee in one minute, five seconds to win the 195-pound bout and Freddy Corradetti (106), Stephen Tornetta (120) and Andrew Rossi (132) also won by pin for The Haverford School, which defeated Episcopal Academy, 38-26.

Barlow seemed happy to be sitting on a bench with teammates wearing the same uniform as him.

"It's kind of tough," Barlow said. "I wish sometimes a companion could be there with me. But we all work together and practice together, so I know we make each other better. I'm thankful that I have my teammates to support me even though I'm at a different tournament than them."

Vince Bellwoar (160) opened the meet with a 9-6 decision over A.J. Cutrufello, but Jack Royer (170) won with a late takedown in overtime for a 10-8 decision and P.J. Cusack pinned Louie Brown to win the 182-pound bout for the Churchmen, who held a 9-3 lead.

An eerie silence filled the Episcopal Academy gym, however, when Barlow took the mat, as if what was going to happen next was a foregone conclusion.

"When I'm here, it's nice to wrestle with them because I feel like I can help them and they can help me," Barlow said. "It's nice wrestling together as a team. I think we do a lot better when we are together than when I'm off by myself."

The Fords rode the momentum of that match to wins in five of the next seven bouts to take control of the meet, but it was a pair of losses by The Haverford School that kept Episcopal Academy from getting within striking distance.

In the 220-pound bout, Episcopal's Cody Russell was wrestling in his first match of the season after recovering from a foot injury. He had Sam Turner, who was wrestling up a weight class, on his back a few times, but couldn't secure the pin. Russell won by major decision, but that meant the Fords only gave up four points instead of six.

"He's out there to try to stay off his back and not get pinned," Haverford School coach Bruce Kennett said. "He fought the kid tough and was able to do that even though he was giving up a sizeable amount of strength and size. I was real proud of him. Great effort."

Nick Gallo had a similar effort at 145. The Fords forfeited the 138-pound bout against Luke Brooman and chose to have Gallo wrestle Christian Feliziani. Like Russell, Feliziani had his opponent on his back, but couldn't get the pin and the crucial extra points that come with it.

"The other kid wrestled tough," Episcopal Academy coach Damon Kuzemka said. "He did what he was supposed to do. He was clearly instructed, 'Look, you can't give up a pin.' Christian worked really hard, he got him in really good position -- it was really, really close. The referee could have made the call for a second. Christian did everything he could to get the pin."

Instead, Gallo only lost 10-1, which essentially clinched the match for The Haverford School.

"It's a chess match," Kennett said. "You play it back-and-forth and you see what happens. It worked out as well as it could have for us up top."

Barlow hopes his team gains momentum for the rest of the season from this win. With a slew of dual meets left on the schedule, he'll be around more often to help.

"I think it's a big confidence-booster because we have a pretty young team overall," Barlow said. "We're still learning, getting basics down."

Central League

Garnet Valley 34, Ridley 26

Ben Touhey pinned Cassidy Ferrell in 1 minute, 48 seconds at 106 pounds and Ryan Manbeck followed with a 5-3 decision over Shane McClintock at 113 to seal the home win for the Jaguars. Lawrence Alkins (182) and James Dix (220) each won by fall for the Green Raiders.

Penncrest 53, Haverford 9

Gunnar Michaels (113 pounds), Zach Groses (120), Matthew Young (126) and Liam Frank (182) recorded pins and Joseph Gartland (170) won by technical fall to lead the Lions to road rout.

Radnor 63, Harriton 9

Eight forfeits, a 2-0 decision by Alex Kim at 126 pounds and a pin by heavyweight James Hong paved the way for the visiting Red Raiders.